2002 Dodge Durango
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 434 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 38 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 40 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, hubOct 20, 2008
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.
Campaign 08E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftDec 4, 2007
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 07V555000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemSep 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID IS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER, AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED.
THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONSOLE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 06V339000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingMar 15, 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
Campaign 06E024000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, upper ball jointDec 21, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 04V596000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washerMay 5, 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 04V216000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: hydraulic
47 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 22, 2004, crash
THE BRAKE ROTORS NEED TO BE TURNED OR REPLACED AT 25000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS TOO HEAVY/BIG FOR THE SMALLER SIZED ROTORS. VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND EFFICIENTLY TO BRAKES. IN MY CASE, THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT 25000 MILES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH DODGE ON THE MANUFACTURING OF THE DURANGO.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 15, 2004
DEALER STATES THAT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING TURNED AND THAT I WILL NEED TO PRUCHASE NEW ONES AT THE COST OF APPROX. $450.00. THE BRAKES PADS ARE ONLY SLIGHTLY WORN. CAR SHUTTERS VIGOROUSLY WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRENTY AND THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE/CHRYSTLER WAITING FOR A RESPONSE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 1, 2004, crash
I WAS TRAVELING AT 25 MPH AND APPROX. 100 FEET BEHIND OTHER CARS WHEN SOMEONE ABOUT 10 CARS AHEAD MADE A HARD STOP CAUSING EVERYONE BEHIND THEM TO DO THE SAME. I HEARD AT LEAST THREE CARS TIRES SCREACHING TO A STOP IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES IN MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO WITH BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED DOWN AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO AND AS HARD AS I COULD THE TRUCK SLOWED TO ABOUT 5 MPH WITH EVERYTHING LOOSE IN THE TRUCK FLYING FOWARD, BUT THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP. FOR THE LAST 30 FEET IT JUST KEPT GOING AT 5 MPH AND I HIT THE REAR OF OF A 97 HONDA ACCORD. THE TIRES NEVER LOCKED UP OR DID I FEEL ANY ANTI-LOCK PULSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I HAVE ON OTHER VEHICLES. I HAD NO CONTROL IN THIS ACCIDENT. IF I HAD NOT HAD 4 WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS TRUCK! BUT THE DEALER SAID EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE KILLED IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DEALT WITH. THE HONDA I HIT SUFFERED HEAVY DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THE HEIGHT DIFFERANCE IN BUMPERS. MY TRUCK WAS NOT AS BAD. MY AUTO INSURACE RATE WILL BE GOING UP FROM WHAT I BELIEVE I COULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED. THANK GOODNESS NO BODY WAS HURT.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Dec 24, 2003
I HAVE 30,000 MILES ON MY 2002 DURANGO SLT PLUS. I HAVE HAD THE REAR REPLACED TWICE AND IT STILL MAKES NOISE. MY ENTIRE FAMILY JUST MISSED A ACCIDENT ( 3 CHILDREN) BECAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY UNDER AWD MODE. THE TRANSMISSION IS CLUNKING EVERYTIME WE STOP. THE BALL JOINTS ARE WEARING OUT! JUST FOUND OUT SEAT BELTS ARE UNSAFE! I AM SCARED TO DEATH FOR MY FAMILY ! *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 10, 2003
THE BRAKES PULSATED WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. HOWEVER, THERE WASN'T ANY PROBLEM WITH BRAKING. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED *AK AFTER REPLACING 3 SETS OF ROTORS WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT DODGE AUTO PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE. *CB *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 24, 2003
THE ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW FOR AN EMERGENCY STOP. THE "CYCLE" TIME IS VERY LONG BETWEEN BRAKE APPLICATION ON A DRY ROAD. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND NO BRAKES APPLIED. HAVE HAD TO STEER SHARPLY TO AVOID OTHER CARS, CAN NOT RELY ON THE BRAKES TO SOP EVERY TIME. *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 21, 2003
2002 DODGE DURANGO. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 15, 2003, crash
BRAKE FAILURE ON A DODGE NEON 2O02- WHILE GOING UP HILL AT 40 MPH AND COMMING ONTO A RED LIGHT THE CARS BREAKS FAILED TO CATCH. MY HUSBAND FLOORED THE BREAKS AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO PUMP THEM. 5-10 FEET FROM IMPACT THE CARS BREAKS CAUGHT AND STILL WE IMPACTED INTO A TOYOTA AVALON
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 28, 2003, crash
WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP ABS BRAKES FAILED AND PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 23, 2003
WHEN APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP WITH PLENTY OF DISTANCE AND NOT A SUDDEN STOP, IT KEPT ON ROLLING NEARLY REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. WE FINALLY STOPPED ABOUT AN INCH FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. IT SEEMS LIKE THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 22, 2003
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 18, 2003
WHEN HAVING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, NOT QUICK ENOUGH TO NORMALLY CAUSE SKIDDING, THE ANTI LOCK BREAKS WILL ENGAGE AND NOT RELEASE CAUSING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BREAKS ENGAGE, THE BREAK PEDDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL. WE HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE HAD TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT AS WELL AS HAVE ROLLED THROUGH A FEW RED LIGHTS. EACH TIME THE DEALER DOES NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE REPLACED AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BREAKS ONCE WHICH DID SEEM TO HELP HAVING THE ANTI LOCK BREAKS ENGAGE SO EASILY. TODAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND WE HAD TO SWERVE ONTO THE CURB TO AVOID REAR ENDING A VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A BROKEN RIM ON THE VEHICLE. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 6, 2003
WHEN HAVING TO STOP WHEN SOMEONE STOPS IN FRONT OF YOU AND PUT ON YOUR BRAKES ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HAVE NO BRAKES. MY HUSBAND HAS ALREADY HAD 1 WRECK AND I HAVE ALMOST HAD 3. LAST FRIDAY WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK A TRUCK PULLING A UTILITY TRAILER SUDDENLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES, WHEN I DID THEY WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR AND SINCE I WASN'T REAL CLOSE I FINALLY DID STOP ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE UTILITY TRAILER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I PUT MY BRAKES ON I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AND HOLD IT. BUT THERE ARE NO BRAKES, IT TRIES TO BRAKE BUT THE PEDAL JUST KEEPS ON GOING TO THE FLOOR.I NOTICED AFTERWARD THAT THE BRAKES SEEM TO READUST THEMSELVES. TOOK VEHICLE TO ALEXANDER DODGE AND THEY LOOKED A BRAKES BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, SINCE THIS TIME I ALMOST DID NOT GET STOPPED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 8, 2003
WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 15, 2003
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE ANTI-LOCK-BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A REAR-END COLLISION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM UNIT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 15, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 9, 2003
NEEDED TO DO A HARD STOP. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SEEMED SLOW TO ENGAGE, DIS-ENGAGE, AND RE-ENGAGE DURING WHICH THE CAR WOULD ROLL. BASICALLY, THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE, THEN DISENGAGE, AND BEFORE THEY WOULD RE-ENGAGE, THE CAR ROLLED. IT WAS A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF TIME, AND A NOTICEABLE ROLL BEFORE THE ABS RE-ENGAGED. IT SEEMED LIKE IT TOOK A SECOND. SINCE THE CAR ROLLED AND WOULDN'T STOP, WE NEEDED TO SWERVE TO MISS TRAFFIC. TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER, AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. EVEN TEST DROVE IT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, POINTED OUT THE ROLL, BUT HE ONLY GAVE ME EXCUSES. I GUESS IF THE ABS LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON, THEY DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS WRONG. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2003
THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN BRAKING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2002
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED BRAKES SUDDENLY. BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ONLY "BARELY" SLOW DOWN. ABS DID NOT ENGAGE AND CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO EFFECTIVELY SLOW IT DOWN. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 4, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE WILL PULSATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 20, 2002
WHEN STOPPING QUICKLY, BUT NOT IN A PANIC. THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WILL SOMETIMES BRAKE AND RELEASE. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NO WHERE NEAR LOCKUP. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ME TO COME CLOSE TO REAR ENDING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SLIGHTLY FASTER STOP THAN NORMAL, BUT NO WHERE CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WOULD PREFER NO ABS SYSTEM IF THIS SYSTEM ON THE DURANGO IS NORMAL. NO ACCIDENTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS, BUT TWO CLOSE CALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR NORMAL ABS BRAKES. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 21, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK